There
are conferences and conventions for everything these days. If you are in the audio or show production
industry, then InfoComm is the convention for you. According to InfoComm’s
website, “InfoComm International is the trade association representing the
professional audiovisual and information communications industries worldwide.” What that means: you get to see all the shiny
new toys first!

This
year, InfoComm13 is being held at the Orange
County Convention Center June 8through June 14, 2013 (with
exhibits from June 12 to June 14, 2013).
I had previously attended InfoComm back in 2011 when it was last in
Orlando, and it was an amazing event. I
only attend the exhibits, but that is still something worth seeing.

What to Expect (Exhibits)

The exhibits
have all the big names in the audio/live event industry. Shure, Sennheiser, Avid, Apantac, Optoma, and
so many more. There will also be plenty
of companies there that you will never have heard of, but after you see them,
you’ll be wondering why you have not!

Seeing
the latest and greatest is one thing, but this is not just browsing a website or
reading a review (like this). You get to
talk to people from these companies that REALLY know what they are talking
about. I’m sure we have all walked into
a store, asked a question, and were given a dumbfounded look as a response. This is THE event for this industry, so the
companies send out the best of the best to their booths to make sure your
questions are answered.

Meet
these people, ask questions, start up a conversation, or whatever. These people know what they are talking
about, and they are some great contacts to make. Most booths have a scanner, that when they
scan your badge, your contact information is entered into their systems, and
they can email you after the event.
Prepare to get A LOT of emails.

Free Stuff

I am
still using pens to I picked up from InfoComm back in 2011. Of course you go there to see the new
technology, products, and network, but if it’s free, it’s for me. I gather tons of pens, hats, bags, shirts,
and more. I even won a drawing and had a
nice projector sent to me by Optoma (which
is a great company by the way).

Bring
your business cards with you. Bring a
lot of them. Many booths have a place
where you can place them for a chance to win things. You never know.

Some of What I got at InfoComm11. Pick up a bag first. You’ll need it.

Surprises

There
are more possibilities at InfoComm then you may think. Like I said, last time I went, I was given a
new projector. I also ended up winning a
nice Leatherman multi-tool. Now aside
from winning things and getting free stuff, you will meet some amazing people
and see some new companies with great products.
Without even knowing, I walked out of InfoComm in 2011 becoming an
authorized dealer for Parts-Express.

Regardless
if you are in the industry or not, InfoComm is a great event that you should
attend. Even if you don’t go to the
conferences, walk around the exhibit floor and see what’s out there. You never know what surprises may await you.

Visit
InfoCommShow for more information about
InfoComm13. Hope to see you there!